Back to 2008 English News
Sightings Spark Big Cat Rumours
Big Cats in Britain
English News - can you add to this story? email here
 BCIB NEW blog spot
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Sightings Spark Big Cat Rumours
By Matt Lloyd
Cannock Chase Post: 29th May 2008
|
| |
|
Reports of a big cat on the Chase continue to flood into the offices
of your favourite weekly paper.
Readers both old and young have been sending their accounts of strange
sightings in our ancient woodlands.
And further photos of stripped deer bones have been provided by
eagle-eyed visitors to the area, fuelling speculation as to the
existence of the fabled Chase Panther.
Others, however, have dismissed the claims as nonsense saying no firm
evidence has yet been produced to prove the reality of the beast.
This week's snaps come from John Morris, an avid photographer of the
area's wildlife, who was surprised to find the bones in the Mere
Valley area.
Taken last Wednesday, John says the bones were lying alongside the
pathway, stripped of flesh.
He said: "I was off work last week and walked down the same pathway
every day. They weren't there on the Monday or Tuesday but were on the
Wednesday.
"They were stripped down to the bone which seemed strange because it
hadn't rotted away there.
"I don't know what it is, perhaps it died somewhere else and was
dragged to the pathway. I don't think it's likely someone put it there
for a prank."
John, who has been taking photographs across The Chase for about three
years added: "This time 12-months ago I saw a dead baby deer and that
took about a month before it was down to just the bones. It wasn't
like this."
And this week we can bring you the account of a dog walker who claims
to have come face to face with the beast.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said he parked opposite the
Nine Gate Entrance near the Tackaroo pub.
"As I came to the end of the trees there was a pile of black shingle
ready to be laid on the wheelchair paths and then it became open space.
"It was here I saw what I first thought was a dog, but then having
looked around I could not see anybody about that might be with the dog.
"Then as it suddenly saw me, I realised it definitely looked like a
cat, not a household cat, but a big cat, and it ran off towards the pool."
The animal is described as brown in colour.
A former employee of Cannock Park Golf Course is also convinced
something is out there.
He recalls finding tracks on the 16th green some three feet apart
measuring four inches by three.
He said: "I did tell another person from the golf course about what I
had seen and he said it would be a badger. I said if that's a badger I
would not want to meet it.
"I am convinced there is a big cat out there."
But despite the recent grisly discoveries some readers say the idea of
big cats on the chase is pie in the sky.
One, Stuart Sonner, said: "This isn't evidence. Of course there will
be dead deer on The Chase, what do people think happens to them when
they die? They don't just vanish.
"With all the people walking there somebody would have seen something
conclusive over the years.
"If there are big cats, where are their decomposing bodies? They don't
live forever just like the deer don't."
Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person
involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could
give us.
Have your say on the forum.